75% of Older, Large Motorcycles in Bali Illegal

No Easy Way Out Seen for Illegal Big Bikes Operating in Bali.

(12/21/2009) As reported on balidiscovery.com, police and licensing authorities in Bali are promising to crack down on unregistered large motorcycles.

In a follow-up article, BisnisBali examined the ownership patterns of large motorcycles with engine capacities or 400 CC or more and "published" price tags of hundreds of millions of rupiahs. Once thought to be the exclusive "toys" of wealthy businessmen and officials, an increasing number of bikes are owned by middle-class workers who manage to purchase a large bike for as little as Rp. 20 million (US$2,000).

The answer to this seeming anomaly is revealed, at least in part, via an interview with Anom Bestari, the Manager of Diablo Bike, a company trading in used large motorbikes. Bestari estimates that 75% of the 500 used motorbikes traveling Bali's roadways lack proper tax and vehicle registration. Used bikes that do not have complete registration sell for a fraction of a the same bike with proper certification.

Said Bestari: "75% of the used large bikes in Bali are illegal and lack the required registration. But, as a large bike enthusiast, this is not a situation to our liking and we have ask the authorities to provide a solution."

Efforts by members of Bali's large bike associations to discuss this matter with police authorities have come to naught, because most of the illegal bikes were smuggled into the country and cannot present an import tax receipt needed to process a title and vehicle registration. "Until now, our requests have failed to discover a solution. Owners of big bikes are becoming nervous, concerned that their bikes may be confiscated by the authorities," Bestari added.

The motorbike dealer admitted that police have issued instructions in recent months declaring a crackdown on illegal big bikes. This move and publicity in the local press have caused the price of used illegal bikes at his dealership to drop dramatically.

An unregistered 1992 Suzuki Bandit 400CC can be purchased for as little as Rp. 20 – 28 million (US$2,000-2,800).